At 19, Taofeek Abijako may be the youngest designer showing at New York Fashion Week: Men’s, but he’s certainly not afraid to speak his mind. The Nigerian-born designer is using his platform to stimulate a meaningful cultural dialogue.

Inspired by his vibrant childhood and multi-cultural upbringing, Abijako developed a curiosity in design from a young age. Fashion became his main outlet for artistic expression while at high school, and he launched Head of State+ two years ago after immigrating to the U.S.

Following in the footsteps of his father, a classically trained fashion designer in Nigeria, Abijako adopts a modern and youthful approach to fashion. His label pays homage to his past by celebrating his West African culture through a contemporary perspective, or, as he Abijako puts it, “minimalist streetwear approach with social and political commentary.”

After a strong NYFW: Men’s debut for spring, he is a designer to watch, and, in anticipation of his upcoming show, we spoke to Abijako about his artistic endeavors and what to expect this season.

Can you tell us about your background and why you decided to pursue a career in fashion?

My dad was a trained fashion designer while living in Nigeria and dealt mostly with local traditional garments. Growing up in an environment like that sparked my curiosity in design. In high school, I started exploring design in all forms, including painting, architecture, and fashion. That curiosity led to the birth of Head of State+.

How would you describe your brand and fashion philosophy?

I approach Head of State+ as less of a brand and more of a case study. It’s me digging into my cultural upbringing while trying to have a firm grasp and understanding of it. My belief is furthering a philosophy of thoughtful, inconspicuous, and honest design across the board.

What sets your brand apart? What do you hope it brings to fashion?

I hope to contribute to the encouragement of fruitful dialogues regarding social, political or cultural matters. Designers are not doctors or fire fighters who save lives, although we are and can be conversation starters. Design gives us the privilege and luxury to highlight and raise awareness on any topic.

What was the inspiration behind your upcoming NYFW: Men’s show? 

“Genesis” is the translation of Afro-futurism portrayed by the likes of Parliament-Funkadelic and Sun Ra through the lens of West African youth – while at the same time celebrating the vibrancy of West African youth culture in the ‘70s and drawing parallels to modern time. The continuous homage to Fela Kuti is also portrayed.

Where do you see your brand in five years? Are there any goals you hope to achieve?

My main focus is expanding on the stories already told…building on accumulated ideas from research and embedding it into future collections. I’m still on the first of many chapters of an infinite-paged book, with more to learn and explore.